Package



April 25 1967 G. L. HEMIIDFLING PACKAGE Filed July 22, 1965 HGI FIGZ \I l I I I INVENTOR GERALD L. HIEMPFLING ATTORNEYS United States Patent,

3,315,868 PACKAGE Gerald L. Hemptiing, Clarksville, Md., assignor of onehalf to James E. Van Noy, Clarksville, Md. Filed July 22, 1965, Ser. No. 473,964 Claims. (Cl. 229-31) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package foldable between an open position which may be generally planar and a closed position wherein the side walls of the package extend upwardly from the base of the package. Facilitating movement of the package into the closed position are one or more cam edges formed in opposite ends of the package to be engageable by a lid placed on the package to automatically cause movement of the package into the closed position. To facilitate placement of the lid on the package into the closed position. To facilitate placement of the lid'on the package, one end of the lid has a substantially reduced dimension and covers only a top portion of the corresponding end wall of the package when the lid is placed on the package. The other end wall of the lid substantially covers the corresponding end wall of the package when placed on the package.

The present invention generally relates to packaging and more specifically to a novel package particularly suitable for packaging food such as butter or cheese although not limited to food.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel package which may be readily unfolded to expose the packaged article for use or removal and subsequently folded to re-package the article such as for storage purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a package which may also be employed as a dish for serving food packaged thereby.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a package which is folded into final position enclosing the article merely by placing a covering lid on the package. Included herein is the provision of such a lid which may be easily placed on the package even if the package has an elongated shape.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a package which is durable to permit repeated folding and unfolding and yet may be economically manufactured so as to be disposable after use.

The above objects are achieved in a package comprised of a bottom part which receives the article packaged and a top part or lid which is placed over the bottom part to entirely cover the article. The bottom part is formed from flexible sheet material to be foldable between an open, planar position, an intermediate position exposing the packaged article for use or removal, and a closed position enclosing the article such as for shipment or storage purposes. The bottom part of the package has opposite side and end walls which, in the folded or closed position of the package, project upwardly from a bottom Wall of the package in a box-like manner. In the preferred embodiment, fold lines are provided to define the various walls of the package. I

To facilitate folding and unfolding, the side and en walls are interconnected :at each of the corners of the package by what will be referred to as gusset members. In accordance with the present invention the gusset members are formed such that when the package is folded to closed position, the gusset members present beyond the ends of the package a downwardly sloping cam edge 3,315,868 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 which is engageable by the lid of the package upon placement of the lid on the package. This engagement between the package lid and the gusset members causes the gusset members to fold inwardly against the external face of the end walls to thus provide automatic folding of the package into final position enclosing the article. The gusset members may be formed of any desired shape and integral with the package walls; the important feature being the presentation of a cam edge which is engageable by the lid of the package to cause the gusset member to fold against the end walls of the package.

The lid of the package is shaped complementary to the bottom part of the package and thus includes a top wall and opposite side and end walls depending from the top wall so as to be receivable over the bottom part of the package.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, placement of the lid on the bottom part of the package is facilitated by forrning one of the end walls of the lid with a reduced dimension from the top wall of the lid to the opposite lower edge of the end wall. Thus by placing the smaller end wall of the lid on the package first, the remainder of the lid may be quickly and easily placed on the package into final position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package in FIG. 1 shown without its lid and in an intermediate position be tween fully opened and closed positions;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the package just prior to final placement of the lid on the bottom part of the package;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom part of the package in fully opened position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental plan view of a modification of the bottom of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental, plan view of another modifica tion of the bottom of the package; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmental, plan view of yet another modification of the bottom of the package.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 show for illustrative purposes only, a package generally designated 2 embodying the present invention particularly suitable for packaging food such as butter or cheese designated 4 in the drawings. Package 2 is comprised of a base or bottom part 6 dimensioned to receive and enclose the article 4 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and a top part or lid 8 complementary in shape to bottom part 6 so as to fit over the latter to fully enclose the article in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

In the shown embodiment, base 6 of the package is formed from sheet material such as cardboard and includes a rectangular bottom wall 10 and rectangular side walls 12 and square end walls 14 extending from the margin of bottom wall 10. Preferably the side and end walls 12 and 14 are formed integral with bottom wall 10, and fold lines 16 and 18 are provided to define and segregate the walls. In use, side and end walls 12 and 14 are foldable between an open planar position (FIG. 4), an intermediate position (FIG. 2) for use as a dish or for removing the article and a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 3) extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall 10 to surround the article for re-packaging.

Lid 8 is complementary in shape to bottom package part 6 so as to be movable over bottom part 6 to fully enclose the article as shown in FIG. '1. In the form illustrated, lid 8 is made from sheet material such as cardboard and includes rectangular top Wall 20 and opposite rectangular side and end walls 22 and 24 depending downwardly from the top wall to define a space dimensioned to receive base 6 when the latter is in closed position.

' To facilitate placement of lid 8 on base 6, one end wall 24a of the lid is substantially reduced in its dimension extending between lid top wall 20 and oppositely located edge 25. Additionally, side walls 22 of the lid are formed with their lower edges 23 sloping between the lower edges of end walls 24 and 24a. In this manner, by initially placing end wall 24a on one end of base 6 as shown in FIG. 3, the remainder of lid 8 may be smoothly pivoted downwardly onto the remainder of base 6 without aiming or manipulating the lid or the base relative to each other.

In order to facilitate folding of base 6 while providing reinforcement, side and end walls 12 and 14 are interconnected at each of the corners of the package by gusset members 30. In accordance with the present invention, gusset members 30 are formed such that when side and end walls 12 and 14 are folded into closed position perpendicular to bottom wall 10, gusset members 30 will present a cam edge 32 projecting beyond the end of the package and sloping downwardly from the upper portion of the package toward the plane of bottom wall 10. Thus by placing lid 8 on base 6, lower edges of lid end walls 24 and 24a will engage cam edges 32 to fold gusset members inwardly (as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3) into flat engagement against the external side of end walls 14.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, gusset members 30, when in the fully unfolded position shown in FIG. 4, assume the shape of a 45 right triangle. Additionally, fold lines 34 are provided in gusset members 30 dividing them into two equal triangles such that a double cam edge 32 is formed upon folding the package into closed position.

The gusset members may have other shapes such as illustrated in, but not limited to, the modifications of FIGSpS, 6, and 7. In the modification of FIG. 5, gusset members 40 are spaced from the upper edges 42 of end walls 44 such that upon folding, only a portion, 46, of the hypotenuse edge of gusset members 40 is presented as the cam edge. Moreover, cam edge 46 projects at a different angle than that of cam edge 32 in the embodiment of FIGS. l-4.

In the modification of FIG. 6, gusset members 50 are spaced from the upper edges 52 of the side walls 54 'such that portion 56 of the hypotenuse edge of the gusset members forms the cam edge.

In addition to the shown triangular shapes, the gusset members may be formed as quadrilaterals such as for example the trapezoids illustrated in the modification of FIG. 7. In this construction, the gusset members 60 are spaced from the upper edges 62 of end walls 64, and the angled sides 66 of the gusset members form the cam edges.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a unique package for food such as butter, which package may also be employed as a dish to serve the food after which the food may be conveniently re-packaged and stored until used again.

Moreover, other modifications readily apparent from the foregoing description and associated drawings, although not specifically mentioned herein, will nevertheless be included within the spirit and scope of the invention indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A package comprising a bottom wall of sheet material and opposite side and end walls of sheet material foldable relative to said bottom wall to form an enclosure for receiving an article, and gusset means connecting adjacent side and end walls and being freely foldable into positions against the external sides of said end walls when said side and end walls are folded relative to said bottom wall to receive an article, said gusset means being freely foldable into outwardly extending positions generally coplanar with said side and end walls, said gusset means having an exposed and unobstructed marginal edge portion projecting beyond said end walls and downwardly towards the plane of said bottom wall when said side and end walls are folded to receive an article, said marginal edge portion forming an exposed and unobstructed cam edge dimensioned to be engaged and cammed to fold said gusset means inwardly against the adjacent end wall by a lid placed over portions of said side and end walls.

2. The package defined in claim 1 wherein said bottom, side and end walls and said gusset means are integral with each other.

3. The package defined in claim 2 wherein said walls and said gusset means are defined in part by fold lines.

4. The package defined in claim 1 wherein said marginal edge portion of said gusset means extends at an angle of 45 with respect to the plane of said bottom wall.

5. The package defined in claim 1 wherein said gusset means is formed of sheet material and has a generally triangular shape when unfolded into a planar position.

6. The package defined in claim 1 wherein said gusset means is formed of sheet material and has a generally quadrilateral shape when unfolded into a planar position.

7. A package including an article receiving part and a separate and unattached lid dimensioned to be placed over said article receiving part and to be entirely removed from the article receiving part, said article receiving part including a bottom wall of sheet material and opposite side and end walls of sheet material foldable relative to said bottom wall for receiving an article, and gusset members interconnecting the junctures of said side and end walls and being freely foldable against the external sides of said end walls when said side and end walls are folded relative to said bottom wall to receive an article, said gusset members being freely foldable into outwardly extending positions generally coplanar with said opposite side and end walls of the article receiving part, said gusset members each having an exposed and unobstructed marginal edge portion projecting outwardly beyond said side and end walls and downwardly generally at an oblique angle towards the plane of said bottom wall when said side and end walls are folded to receive an article, said marginal edge portions forming exposed and unobstructed cam edges dimensioned to be engaged and cammed inwardly into said folded positions against said end walls by opposite end portions of said lid during placement of the lid over said bottom part.

8. The package defined in claim 7 'wherein said lid in-- cludes a top wall and end walls depending from opposite ends of said top wall with one end wall of the lid extending a greater distance from said top wall than the other end wall of said lid, and opposite side walls depending from opposite sides of said top wall and connected to said end walls of said lid, said side walls of the lid having lower marginal edges extending generally at an incline between said opposite end walls of said lid.

9. For use in combination with a generally rectangular box-like package including a bottom wall and opposite side and end walls projecting from said bottom wall to enclose an area for receiving an article; an elongated lid for covering the package, said lid being formed separately from and unattached with respect to the package and including a top wall and opposite side walls and opposite end walls depending from said top wall with said side and end walls of said lid being interconnected at their ends, the overall dimensions of the lid being slightly greater than the package so that the lid may receive the package with the opposite side and end walls of the lid overlying the corresponding walls of the package, one of said end walls of said lid depending from said top wall a greater distance than the other end wall of said lid, said one end wall of said lid being dimensioned so to substantially cover the corresponding end wall of the package when the lid is placed on the package, said other end wall of the lid being dimensioned to cover a substantial part of one half of the corresponding end wall of the package when the lid is placed on the package against movement in a longitudinal direction oh? the package.

10. A combination food package and dish comprising a bottom wall of sheet material and opposite end walls and opposite side walls of sheet material connected to said bottom wall and freely foldable between an open position wherein said side and end walls project laterally outwardly from said bottom wall in generally coplanar interrelationship to enable said package to be employed as a dish and a closed position wherein said side and end walls project generally at right angles from said bottom Wall to enclose a space dimensioned to receive a food article, and gusset members formed of sheet material interconnecting the adjacent ends of said side and end walls and being foldable with said side and end walls between said open and closed positions, said gusset members extending in generally coplanar relationship with the side and end walls of the package when in the open position, said gusset members having exposed and unobstructed edge portions extending beyond said side and end walls generally obliquely towards the plane of said bottom wall when said side and end walls are in said closed position, said edge portions adapted to be engaged by a lid placed over said side and end walls to cam said gusset members inwardly and against the external sides of said end walls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,735,325 11/1929 LEnfant 229--44 2,073,272 3/ 1937 Wellrnan 229-31 2,331,551 10/1943 Guyer. 3,119,494 1/ 1964 Rosenstiel 206-46 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PACKAGE COMPRISING A BOTTOM WALL OF SHEET MATERIAL AND OPPOSITE SIDE AND END WALLS OF SHEET MATERIAL FOLDABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BOTTOM WALL TO FORM AN ENCLOSURE FOR RECEIVING AN ARTICLE, AND GUSSET MEANS CONNECTING ADJACENT SIDE AND END WALLS AND BEING FREELY FOLDABLE INTO POSITIONS AGAINST THE EXTERNAL SIDES OF SAID END WALLS WHEN SAID SIDE AND END WALLS ARE FOLDED RELATIVE TO SAID BOTTOM WALL TO RECEIVE AN ARTICLE, SAID GUSSET MEANS BEING FREELY FOLDABLE INTO OUTWARDLY EXTENDING POSITIONS GENERALLY COPLANAR WITH SAID SIDE AND END WALLS, SAID GUSSET MEANS HAVING AN EXPOSED AND UNOBSTRUCTED MARGINAL EDGE PORTION PROJECTING BEYOND SAID END WALLS AND DOWNWARDLY TOWARDS THE PLANE OF SAID BOTTOM WALL WHEN SAID SIDE AND END WALLS ARE FOLDED TO RECEIVE AN ARTICLE, SAID MARGINAL EDGE PORTION FORMING AN EXPOSED AND UNOBSTRUCTED CAM EDGE DIMENSIONED TO BE ENGAGED AND CAMMED TO FOLD SAID GUSSET MEANS INWARDLY AGAINST THE ADJACENT END WALL BY A LID PLACED OVER PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE AND END WALLS. 